Composed over a period of 44 years the 150 works for piano and voice of Francis Poulenc remain consistently popular to concert audiences the world over. Varying in their individual style and character in a way that defies generalisation, Poulenc set music to a wide range of different French poetry – both ancient and modern, from the serious to the surreal.
This release marks the first in a new series charting the complete songs of Francis Poulenc, performed by some of the greatest singers of the day and accompanied by the exceptional Malcolm Martineau. Future releases will feature several works that have never before been recorded.
Cocardes: Miel De Narbonne
Cocardes: Bonne D'enfant
Cocardes: Enfant De Troupe
Metamorphoses: Reine Des Mouettes
Metamorphoses: C'est Ainsi Que Tu Es
Metamorphoses: Paganini
Chansons Gaillardes: La Mai^Tresse Volage
Chansons Gaillardes: Chanson A` Boire
Chansons Gaillardes: Madrigal
Chansons Gaillardes: Invocation Aux Parques
Chansons Gaillardes: Couplets Bachiques
Chansons Gaillardes: L'offrande
Chansons Gaillardes: La Belle Jeunesse
Chansons Gaillardes: Se´Re´Nade
A` Sa Guitare
E´Pitaphe Sur Un Texte De Malherbe
Trois Poe`Mes De Louise De Vilmorin: Le Garc¸On De Lie`Ge
Trois Poe`Mes De Louise De Vilmorin: Au-Delà
Trois Poe`Mes De Louise De Vilmorin: Aux Officiers De La Garde Blanche
Bleuet
Dernier Poe`Me
Rosemonde
Fianc¸Ailles: La Dame d'Andre´
Fianc¸Ailles: Dans L'herbe
Fianc¸Ailles: Il Vole
Fianc¸Ailles: Mon Cadavre Est Doux Comme Un Gant
Fianc¸Ailles: Violon
Fianc¸Ailles: Fleurs
Parisiana: Jouer Du Bugle
Parisiana: Vous N'e´crivez Plus?
La Courte Paille: Le Sommeil
La Courte Paille: Quelle Aventure!
La Courte Paille: La Reine De Cour
La Courte Paille: Ba, Be, Bi, Bo, Bu
La Courte Paille: Les Anges Musiciens
La Courte Paille: Le Carafon
La Courte Paille: Lune D'avril
17th March 2011
***
“The best performances... - Murray in the early Cocteau cycle Cocardes, Maltman in the Chansons Gaillardes, Milne in Fiançailles pour Rire – are very fine, even if it remains a disc to sample piecemeal rather than as a whole”
26th March 2011
***
“This is a delightful project...Plus factors include national treasure Felicity Lott, divine in the 1960 cycle La Courte Paille. There’s also the masterly accompaniment of Malcolm Martineau, who helps to confirm Poulenc’s belief that his songs contained better piano music than any of his solo pieces.”
3rd April 2011
“Poulenc's singular mix of whimsy, religiosity and cool wit guarantees plenty of variety, and each song has a characteristically elaborate, note-rich piano part. Malcolm Martineau accompanies with judicious, sharp-eared facility and experience.”
June 2011
*****
“Alongside Malcolm Martineau's searching piano, the singers find a consistent character: considered, spacious, unaffected but cumulatively intense, to the extent that you may need to pause and catch your breath every so often...Anderson finds a deadpan, butter-wouldn't-melt character for Vilmorin's more suggestive lines, while Maltman brings good humour and a poker face to the earthy Chansons galliardes”
May 2011
“these are songs that benefit greatly from the kind of musical intelligence Lott has in abundance...The early Chansons gaillardes are eloquently sung by Christopher Maltman...Lorna Anderson gives straightforward and very attractive readings...Lisa Milne is similarly excellent in the cycle Fiancailles pour rire and the slightly later group of three Metamorphoses”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
Cocardes: Miel De Narbonne
